Whining Noise (accessory belt?)

[Nicoleb3x3]

I have this whining sound that bugs me. It seems to be the from the accessory belt?

Could something be off with my tensioner or something? Is it possible the belt tension is too tight and robbing me of HP and creating this whining? My power steering makes some noise, but not like it out of fluid, and I mainly get this other similar whining.

Does anyone else have this problem or know what it could be? My old 89 2.3 lx had the same noise, but I rarely ever heard it on that car.

thanx
Nicole

 

[Red_LX]

Well, does this whining sound like a belt slipping? Generally if there is a whining sound and it's not from the power steering pump (and I have yet to hear a Ford power steering pump that doesn't whine), it could be caused by the belt slipping, BUT when the belt slips it's pretty damn loud.

Also, it's impossible for your serpentine belt to be "too tight."

My '90 LX used to make this weird sound from the accessory belt at idle, turns out it was because of the pulley on the A/C compressor moving around. Course I ended up ditching the A/C on that car anyway.

 

[Nicoleb3x3]

Thanks for your reply, It doesn't seem like the belt is slipping; because I hear it all the time.

The whine is consistant to the RPM, so I hear it more the higher the RPM. It's louder then the motor at 1500-3000 rmp, so I cannot enjoy hearing my motor rev up (not i'm missing much with a 2.3, but you can see how it would bug the crap out of me).

It slightly resembles a power steering whine, for a breif second I thought it might be that when I first heard it.

also; my belt is not hooked up to the AC (that belt is missing!)

 

[ninety2.3]

Maybe a pulley is making the sound. Like its loose or something?

 

[Red_LX]

Louder than the engine? Damn, sounds to me like it's something you might wanna check out. How long has it been making this sound?

 

[Dr_EluSivE]

these cars tend to make noise, the PS pump is normal, A whine from the rear end (fuel pump) is normal, but Squeaking pulley sounds are not, i would guess maybe an Alternator bearing or a water pump on the fritz, Does you car lose any coolant?

Dr.

 

[kiddiccarus]

My Fuel Pump is louder than my car. When I changed my water pump I added a spacer to the pully (why because it came with the pump, I was stupid) but that caused the sound and screwed up 2 belts before I noticed what I did.

 

[Nicoleb3x3]

I had someone take a look at it. Seems like it maybe the alternator bearing.

Looks like I'll have to get a new alternator at my leisure.

 

[kiddiccarus]

Look for the upgrade then and get one that you will not outgrow

 

[Nicoleb3x3]

Thanks, I definately am planning on it. That's why I'm not running out the Autozone for the stock replacement.

I've seen some higher performance alternators at jegs web site, but I've gotta go back and get the details.

if you have any suggestions or links to exact recommendations, please let me know.